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Make a Difference

Individuals and companies can make a difference! Your time, talent, and treasure support our work to end domestic violence in Delaware.

Did You Know?

Worldwide, a woman is battered by an intimate partner every 15 seconds. That’s approximately 5,760 battered women every single day.

1 out of every 4 women will experience some form of domestic violence in her lifetime.

Women and girls are more likely to be killed by male partners than any other class of individuals.

Police in Delaware respond to over 75 domestic violence calls each day.

The cost of domestic violence to the US economy is more than $8.3 billion. This cost includes medical care, mental health services, and lost productivity.

Approximately 8.8 million children witness domestic violence every year. Of men who abuse women, 40-60% abuse children as well.

The prevalence of domestic violence among Gay and Lesbian couples is approximately 25 - 33%.

Each year, an estimated 3.3 million children are exposed to violence by family members against their mothers or female caretakers.

During the six months following an episode of domestic violence, 32% of battered women are victimized again. Short term (6-12 week) psycho-educational batterer-intervention programs helped some batterers stop immediate physical violence but were inadequate in stopping abuse over time.

Obstacles faced by battered immigrant women include: a distrust of the legal system arising from their experiences with the system in their native countries; cultural and language barriers; and fear of deportation.

15 - 50% of abused women report interference from their partner with education, training or work.

Abused (past or current) welfare recipients experience higher levels of health or mental health problems such as a physical disability, or serious or acute depression.

Immigrant women may suffer higher rates of battering than U.S. citizens because they come from cultures which accept domestic violence.

A battered woman who is not a legal resident, or whose immigration status depends on her partner, is isolated by cultural dynamics which may prevent her from leaving her husband or seeking assistance from the legal system.

Many battered Gays or Lesbians fight back to defend themselves - it is a myth that same-sex battering is mutual.

Seven states define domestic violence in a way that excludes same-sex victims; 21 states have sodomy laws that may require same-sex victims to confess to a crime in order to prove they are in a domestic relationship.

The chance of being victimized by an intimate partner is 10 times greater for a woman than a man.

Women are seven to 14 times more likely than men to report suffering severe assaults from an intimate partner.

26% of pregnant teens reported being physically abused by their boyfriends. About half of them said the battering began or intensified after he learned of her pregnancy.

Approximately 50% of female victims of domestic violence live in households with children under age 12.

Around the world, at least one in every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.

Join a Committee or Task Force

DCADV has a number of Committees, Task Forces, and special groups, and is involved in many others with partner organizations. Read about DCADV Committees and Task Forces. Most groups meet monthly in Wilmington or Dover, and usually offer an opportunity to call in if you’re unable to attend in person.

If you are interested in joining a specific committee or want to find out if one exists around a certain area of focus, contact us at 302.658.2958 or dcadvadmin@dcadv.org.

Hold a Cell Phone Drive

Groups including churches, sororities, civic groups, college classes and honor societies, and workplaces have raised thousands of dollars for DCADV over the years through our partnership with a company called Shelter Alliance. They recycle and refurbish used cell phones (which earn up to $30 each). The unrestricted funds collected for DCADV by these groups is greatly appreciated.

DCADV staff can provide you with a variety of sample and template materials to help you plan your cell phone drive. Whether you are soliciting only members of the group (i.e. church congregation, colleagues, club members - called an "internal drive") to donate their own used phones, or coordinating members of the group to solicit others (i.e. customers, their friends and family, the local community - called an "external drive"), DCADV is here to help you. Learn how to hold an internal cell phone drive,

If you’re interested in holding a cell phone drive, please review the above document, register with Shelter Alliance, and contact us to let us know of your efforts and with any questions.

Please complete a volunteer application and fax, mail, or email it to dcadvadmin@dcadv.org. We will follow up with you about any opportunities that exist that match your education, requirements, and skills.

Do an Internship

We are always interested in interns from local colleges and universities with an interest in Policy and Systems Advocacy, Training, Prevention, and Communications. Please complete the internship application and fax, mail, or email it to dcadvadmin@dcadv.org. We will follow up with you about any opportunities that exist that match your education, requirements, and skills.